Spotted an unfamiliar charge labelled ‘Banyan UK’ on your bank statement? You’re not alone. This guide explains exactly what this merchant is, why the charge appeared, and what steps to take if you don’t recognise it.
What Is Banyan UK on a Bank Statement
Banyan UK on your bank statement is a payment to Banyan Bar & Kitchen, a chain of premium bars and restaurants located across Northern England, known for cocktails, food, and late-night entertainment.
This charge typically appears when you’ve paid for drinks, food, or made a booking at one of their venues. It may also appear as ‘Arc Inspirations’ – their parent company name. Banyan venues are popular destinations for nights out, brunch, birthday celebrations, and after-work drinks.
Who Is Banyan Bar & Kitchen
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Trading name | Banyan Bar & Kitchen |
| Parent company | Arc Inspirations Ltd |
| Business type | Premium bars & restaurants |
| Headquarters | Leeds |
| Number of venues | 8+ locations |
| Companies House | 03711947 |
| Website | banyanbar.co.uk |
| Established | 2001 |
Banyan is part of the Arc Inspirations group, which also operates Manahatta, Box, Pit, and The Banyan Tree brands. Known for stylish interiors, quality cocktails, and modern food menus, Banyan positions itself in the mid-to-high price range for the hospitality sector.
Banyan UK Locations
| City | Venue Name | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | Banyan Corn Exchange | Exchange Square |
| Manchester | Banyan Spinningfields | Spinningfields |
| Leeds | Banyan Leeds | City Square |
| Liverpool | Banyan Liverpool | Castle Street |
| Newcastle | Banyan Newcastle | Grey Street |
| York | Banyan York | Little Stonegate |
| Sheffield | Banyan Sheffield | Leopold Square |
| Nottingham | Banyan Nottingham | Weekday Cross |
Tip: If you see ‘Banyan UK’ on your statement, consider whether you visited any of these cities recently. Locations may change, so visit banyanbar.co.uk for current venues.
Common Reasons for Banyan UK Charges
| Reason | Description | Typical Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bar tab / drinks | Cocktails, wine, beer, spirits | £20–£150+ |
| Food / dinner | Starters, mains, desserts | £20–£60 per person |
| Brunch | Weekend brunch menu | £15–£30 per person |
| Bottomless brunch | Set-price brunch with unlimited drinks | £35–£55 per person |
| Table deposit | Booking fee (often redeemable) | £5–£20 per person |
| Group booking | Birthday, party, private hire | £100–£1000+ |
| Service charge | Optional gratuity (often auto-added) | 10–12.5% of bill |
Why You Might Not Recognise the Banyan UK Charge
- Busy night out: Multiple venues visited, forgot which ones
- Name confusion: Expected ‘cocktail bar’ or venue name, not ‘Banyan UK’
- Group payment: You paid the bill for others
- Different city visit: Went to Banyan in a city you don’t live in
- Pre-authorisation: Bar tabs often pre-authorise higher amounts
- Delayed processing: Charge appeared days after your visit
- Shared card: Partner or friend used your card that night
- ‘Arc Inspirations’ showing: Parent company name instead of Banyan
How Banyan UK Appears on Different Bank Statements
| Bank | How It May Appear |
|---|---|
| Barclays | BANYAN UK |
| Lloyds | BANYAN BAR KITCHEN |
| HSBC | BANYAN UK GBR |
| NatWest | BANYAN*MANCHESTER |
| Santander | BANYAN UK LTD |
| Nationwide | ARC INSPIRATIONS LTD |
| Monzo | Banyan Bar & Kitchen |
| Starling | BANYAN UK |
| Revolut | Banyan Bar Leeds |
| Halifax | BANYAN UK |
Important: The charge may also appear as ‘ARC INSPIRATIONS’ – this is the same company (parent group).
Is Banyan UK a Legitimate Charge
Yes, Banyan UK is a legitimate charge. Banyan Bar & Kitchen is an established UK hospitality chain operating since 2001. The parent company, Arc Inspirations Ltd (Companies House number 03711947), is a registered and reputable business headquartered in Leeds. This is not a scam or fraudulent charge.
How to Verify Your Banyan UK Charge
- Check the date: Look at when the transaction occurred and check your calendar for any events, birthdays, or plans on that date.
- Check your phone: Review photos, location history, text messages, Uber receipts, or social media posts from that date.
- Check your emails: Search for booking confirmations from Banyan, DesignMyNight, or OpenTable.
- Ask people you were with: Friends, partner, or colleagues who may have been present.
- Contact Banyan directly: Call the venue with your transaction date and last 4 card digits for verification.
How to Get a Receipt from Banyan
If you need a receipt for expenses or records:
- Contact the specific venue via banyanbar.co.uk with your transaction date and card details
- Search your email for ‘Banyan’ or ‘Arc Inspirations’ if you provided your email when paying
- Message @banyanbar on Instagram or Facebook with transaction details
- Visit in person with your bank statement if you’re local to the venue
Understanding Bar Tab Pre-Authorisation
When you open a bar tab at Banyan, they may ‘pre-authorise’ your card to ensure funds are available. This appears as a pending transaction, often for £50–£100. When you close your tab, the actual amount replaces the pre-auth. If you paid cash, the pre-authorisation typically releases within 5–7 working days. Contact your bank if it persists beyond a week.
What to Do If You Don’t Recognise the Charge
- Investigate thoroughly: Check calendar, photos, messages, and location history
- Check for pre-authorisation: Is it pending? Is the amount a round number? Wait a few days
- Contact Banyan: Call the nearest venue with your transaction details
- Contact your bank: Report as potentially unauthorised and ask about chargebacks (within 120 days)
- Check card access: Partner, family, or additional cardholders who might have used your card
Can You Get a Refund from Banyan UK
Refunds are possible for overcharges, wrong amounts, items not ordered, or duplicate charges. Pre-authorisations typically auto-correct within 5–7 days. For unauthorised transactions, contact your bank immediately.
Refund process:
- Contact the specific Banyan venue first
- Explain the issue with date and amount details
- Escalate to Arc Inspirations if needed
- Contact your bank for chargeback if the venue is unhelpful
What Is Arc Inspirations on My Bank Statement
If you see ‘Arc Inspirations’ instead of ‘Banyan UK’, it’s the same company. Arc Inspirations owns:
- Banyan Bar & Kitchen
- Manahatta
- Box
- Pit
- The Banyan Tree
A charge from any of these venues may appear as ‘Arc Inspirations Ltd’ on your statement.
How to Track Your Entertainment Spending
Bar and restaurant charges can add up quickly, and nights out spending is easy to lose track of. Converting your bank statements into organised spreadsheets can help you:
- Track entertainment and dining spending
- Identify all hospitality charges at a glance
- Set and monitor going-out budgets
- Spot unfamiliar charges quickly
- Prepare expense reports for work socials
Tools like yourbankstatementconverter.com can convert your bank statements into Excel or CSV formats, making it easier to review monthly outgoings by category.
Conclusion
Banyan UK on your bank statement is simply a payment to Banyan Bar & Kitchen, a premium bar and restaurant chain across Northern England. The charge likely came from drinks, food, or a booking at one of their venues in cities like Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, or Newcastle. If you don’t recognise it, check your photos, messages, and calendar for that date, then contact the venue directly if you’re still unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Banyan UK a legitimate charge on my bank statement?
Yes. Banyan UK is the trading name for Banyan Bar & Kitchen, a registered UK hospitality business operating since 2001.
What is Arc Inspirations on my bank statement?
Arc Inspirations is the parent company that owns Banyan Bar & Kitchen, along with Manahatta, Box, and other venue brands.
How do I get a receipt from Banyan Bar & Kitchen?
Contact the specific venue via banyanbar.co.uk with your transaction date and card details, or message them on social media.
Why is there a pending Banyan charge on my account?
A pending charge is likely a pre-authorisation from opening a bar tab. The actual amount replaces this when you close your tab, or it releases within 5–7 days if you paid cash.
How do I contact Banyan UK about a charge?
Find contact details for your nearest venue at banyanbar.co.uk, or message @banyanbar on Instagram or Facebook.







